SMASHING SENIORS – Barnstable’s seniors on the BHS girls varsity volleyball team – Michelle Begley, Lilly Lowe, Nora Wood, Stephanie Bristol, Alison Klotz and Stephanie Tuepker – are presented with flowers, gifts and heartfelt congratulations at their final regular season game on Friday.

They’ve played in California. They’ve played in Chicago. They’ve played in various New England locales.

On Friday night, though, it was all about the home court as the Barnstable girls varsity volleyball team gave fans more than their money’s worth when they downed the Dartmouth Indians 3-0 in their final regular season match.

The win, 25-13, 25-10, 25-22, capped off another stellar season for the Lady Raiders, and felt even sweeter since it came on Senior Night, when each of the team’s seven seniors and their families were celebrated.

Against Dartmouth, co-captain Bristol had 17 kills, three aces and 12 digs. Wood had 10 kills, two aces, 14 digs, and 10 assists. Klotz, also a co-captain, had seven kills and 15 digs, while Lowe had seven kills and 11 digs. Begley and Friel had six kills and four digs respectively.

The first match saw the Raiders take a commanding 14-6 lead after the start before moving on to claim victory at 25-13. Barnstable also dominated game two, with points scored on a number of beautiful shots that followed exciting volleys.

Game three set tensions on edge as Dartmouth took the lead for the first time all night, at one point edging past Barnstable by six points.

The Raiders quickly recovered, however, once again moving past the Indians and ultimately slamming their way to a 25-22 win to cap the game.

Junior Maribeth Martin was also a standout, with 22 assists and three aces.

The win raised spirits following a tough loss the previous night to Medfield, 25-14, 25-19, 23-25, 27-25. It was the Raider’s first MIAA loss all season.

“It was looked upon as a big regular season challenge. It was a significant accomplishment to come from behind and win the third game,” said head coach Tom Turco, noting that he actively seeks challenging teams for the girls to face.

“We play the best competition available to prepare ourselves for the tournament. It does not make sense to play a weak schedule and then expect them to play well against tough competition in the tournament.”

Turco credits his seniors with helping to create a strong 2008 team.

“I am very proud of my seniors. The senior class has always been a great example to the underclassmen. Their expectations are high and they back it up with their work ethic,” he said.

“They have been wonderful role models for the younger players. Their lasting contribution comes more in terms of how they carry themselves and what it is to be a student athlete. They have shown that they can be productive in the classroom as well as on the court. As the seniors before them, they have set their goals high and are relentlessly pursuing those goals.”

Although the team will lose seven members to graduation this year, Turco’s faith in next year’s team remains strong.

“We have some very talented underclassmen and some very strong classes coming up,” he said.

Turco feels that the success of the team each year has much to do with the feeder program in Barnstable.

“Volleyball is a big sport in Barnstable and players get exposed to it at an early age,” Turco said. “The players have to be skilled to be successful but they also have to have a love for the game which they do.”

Turco said that several of the memories he will cherish include meeting Simon Cowell of American Idol during the team’s 2007 California trip and, most recently, seeing the seniors take the court on Friday night.

He especially enjoyed watching Steph Tuepker return to the service line during the game. Tuepker has been unable to play this season due to an ACL injury but was able to attempt a few serves against Dartmouth.

On Tuesday night the team begins another postseason and will face Marshfield at home at 7 p.m. Naturally, the defending champs are seeking another title to add to their collection.